The group traveled with the nonprofit "Global Health Partnerships" to the African country, and worked in rural communities to provide health services.

"It can be kind of depressing to see that degree of poverty and medical problems you see -- but it's also exciting the kind of impact you can make -- and you an make a huge one with a fairly small amount of resources," said director Angelo Tomedi.

Tomedi said the villages students had no running water or electricity.

Students would go door-to-door addressing medical issues, most of which involved malnutrition.

"It was really humbling actually. Nurses -- the way they practice there is really efficient. It made me feel like after two years of medical school, I hardly know anything," said medical student Analisa Sandoval.

Public heath students tell Action 7 News the trip helped them learn how to utilize various techniques in dry climates to promote self-sufficiency.

"It felt like a great sense of community -- like an international community helping each other out -- and we also went to Kenya and learned about successful community gardens they had," said Stephanie Barrett, a recent public health graduate.

Tomedi said he travels twice a year to the community, which he helped to get money to build a clinic that serves people in need.

The nonprofit plans to hold a charity race next year, which will feature world-renowned runners from Africa.

Proceeds will go toward medical supplies and other needs in the community.